KUALA LUMPUR, October 31 — India and the United States on Friday signed a new 10-year defence framework aimed at broadening strategic cooperation across the Indo-Pacific, following a bilateral meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus).
Describing the talks as “constructive,” the Defence Ministry said both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific. The new ‘Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership’ is expected to enhance collaboration in defence industry, technology, and joint research.
“The framework will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the India-US defence relationship,” Singh posted on X. “It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership,” he added.
Officials said the two leaders also reviewed ongoing defence issues and industry cooperation, and exchanged views on regional stability. Singh will also attend the 12th ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, which brings together defence ministers from ASEAN and partner countries.
